The Vietnam national team conquers new milestones

In 2026, the central goal for the Vietnam national team is the ASEAN Cup, where we compete as the reigning champions. Defending the championship successfully holds importance beyond just results; it is also a key trial for the ongoing rejuvenation and strengthening of the squad.

This tournament is not only a platform for Vietnamese players to showcase their professional prowess but also an opportunity for the current generation to break historical barriers, aiming for the milestone of winning back-to-back titles for the first time in the nation's football history.

Looking at it realistically, reaching the final is entirely within the capabilities of coach Kim Sang Sik and his team. The first reason for fans to believe in a successful campaign is the quality of personnel. The Vietnam national team currently possesses a generation of players entering their prime, blending experienced veterans with youthful energy. The squad, evenly distributed across all three lines, maintains its inherent class, sufficient to form a solid framework and impose their game on regional opponents.

With the advantages in personnel and group stage, the most important thing for the Vietnam national team is to avoid complacency in order to realize the championship goal. The South Korean coach needs to be careful in refreshing the playing philosophy, diversifying approaches to matches, and boldly giving opportunities to new faces. Thorough preparation in both tactics and psychology is the key to helping the Vietnam national team achieve the goal of reaching the final, thereby successfully defending the title.

If the 2024 ASEAN Cup was seen as a stepping stone to shape the playing style, then the 2026 tournament is the moment for the Vietnam national team to assert their status. Compared to the championship-winning squad from two years ago, the current version of the Vietnam national team is regarded as a comprehensive upgrade in both physical attributes and tactical thinking.

The biggest difference lies in the squad depth that coach Kim Sang Sik now possesses. The arrival of high-quality naturalized players has decisively solved tough problems regarding physique and physical duels. These additions allow the Vietnam national team not only to play technical football but also to engage in equal physical battles against power-oriented opponents like Indonesia, Malaysia, or Thailand.

Relying not only on naturalized players, the strength of the Vietnam national team also comes from the abundant energy of the young players. The core group from the U23 squad, which recently achieved impressive results including winning the U23 Southeast Asian championship, gold at the 33rd SEA Games, and a bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup, brings healthy competition and tactical versatility to the playing style.

More importantly, fierce competition can create pressure, but it is positive pressure. When no one rests on their laurels, the collective becomes stronger. If they can harmonize between identity and naturalized resources, between experience and youth, the 2026 Vietnam national team promises to lay the foundation for the next phase of success.